Bal 1 s for Games

This invention relates to an apparatus for playing or training for playing a game and to a ball for training or playing games.

In a specific but not limiting embodiment this invention relates to a ball for teaching and training for the game of Rugby.

In accordance with this invention there is provided an apparatus for playing or training for a game comprising a ball, a ring forming an attachment means passing through the outer cover of said ball and extending behind said outer cover, an elastic cord coupled to said attachment means at one end with the other end of said cord terminated in a means to connect with a part of the body of a pl yer.

Preferably the attachment means is a rigid ring and may extend laterally behind the cover of the bal l to pass through two, or more, openings in the bal l cover and extend behind the cover between said openings.

In a preferred con t uct i n o f apparatus two elastic cords are provided, the one ends of each cord being connected to the attachment means and the other ends of eacli cord, each including a cuff or strap means.

preferably adjustable, to connect with a part of the body of a player such as the wrists. The elastic cord or cords may connect with a rigid connector ring, swivel or the li e which couples to the attachment means passing through the outer covering of the ball at two spaced loc tions.

The inside of the cover in the area of the attachment means may be reinforced using, for example, a flexible or rigid fabric or a plate conforming to the profile of the cover.

Advantageously the elasticated cords are connected at least at the bal l end through a swivel means.

The ball is preferably ellipsoidal in shape, such as that used for playing the game of Rugby. In this case the attachment means may extend through the cover wal l then behind the casing and out again passing through the cover at two spaced locations symmetrical ly located about an end of the ball . Two cords, or one looped cord with two l imbs may extend from the attachment means or a shock absorbing part thereof and may terminate in cuffs or loops to engage the wrists of a player.

In a modificat ion a s i ng i e length of elastic cord is looped through the attachment means, the free ends of s id cord each terminating in said means to connect wi l h a part of the body of a player.

Preferably the ball is a footbal l having a sewn panelled outer cover and an internal inflatable bladder, the attachment means extending behind said outer cover between said cover and the bladder.

Advantageously a protecting or reinforcing means is positioned between the bladder and attachment means.

In use a player may "pass" the bal l in the customary manner which recedes from the player a distance determined by the length of the cords to thereafter extend the elastic an amount determined by the dynamics of the system after which the elastic contracts to return the ball to the player for "receiving" practice. The player must "pass" the ball forcefully and cleanly with accuracy to ensure that the "return" pass can be gathered cleanly. The apparatus provides practice not only at passing and receiving but also co-ordinates hand and eye and body position.

An embodiment of this invention is illustrated as an example in the accompanying drawing.

Λs shown in the drawing, a conventional ba I 1 for playing the game of Rugby has a iour panelled sewn body casing 1 of leather or synthetic rubber material wherein two spaced apertures 20 are provided in an end and throu h he casin .

A metal l ic ring 21 forming an attachment means

passes through these apertures and is positioned between the inner inflatable bladder and outer cover. A split or key ring may be used. The zone between the two apertures 20 on the inside cover of the ball incorporates a leather or other rein orcement means such as a synthetic plastics pad or the like which may be shaped and semi-rigid. Attached to the ring 21 but free to slide thereon is a swivel 22. Reinforcement may be provided also between the bladder and the attachment means .

In this embodiment the elasticated cord comprises a single length with two limbs 23 and 24 of equal length and looped through the eye 25 of the swivel 22 and secured by means of a plastic tie or heat shrunk sleeving 26. The other free ends of the cords 23 and 24 are looped through eyelets 27 and again secured by means of plastic tape or heat shrink sleeving 28. In addition or alternatively, the ends may be secured by ties 29 and such a tie or ties may be provided in addition to the sleeve 26 where the elasticated cords loop through the swi ve 1 eye 25.

The eyeie s 27 form part of one end f leathei cuffs 30 which are intended to lie around the wrists of a player. The cuffs 30 may be made adjustable in diameter by means of buckles, press stud lasten i rigs or T-shaped

s l o t s .

In a practical embodiment each length of elasticated cord 23,24 is about 55cm. long and 5mm. diameter. The elasticated cords are of a proprietary brand and include a woven synthetic covering around a bun le of elastic strands .

In an alternative arrangement the cords 23,24 comprise a single piece rubber element.

The main, but not exclusive, advantages and nove i features of the construction are the arrangement for securing the cords to the ball which provides a secure and a shock absorbing fixture and the way the fixture is secured further between the casing and inflated bladder spreading the loads evenly. A further advantage is that a standard bal l may be employed and easily modified.

In a odii ication the cuffs 30 each comprise an elasticated fabric having a width ol about 6.5cm. and formed into a tube with a diameter, at rest, of about .0cm.